10/07/2011

Did you know that, across the United States, there are approximately 3,350 animal shelters and a large and increasing number of non-sheltered rescue and fostering groups that help to alleviate some of the influx into shelters. There are over 13,500 groups who post homeless animals up for adoption from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and parts of Central America on Petfinder.com. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters care for 6-8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom approximately 3-4 million are euthanized.

While great strides have been made to lower the number of homeless pets across America, a lot of work is yet to be done. Please join us during October in celebrating Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month! If you've been thinking about bringing a dog into your home your local shelter is the perfect place to find dogs of every type, size, age and personality -- all waiting for a loving home. There are also numerous rescue groups, including breed specific rescues, who have thousands of available fur-friends also looking for their best friend.

﻿If you have already found your best friend (or friends), you can still celebrate with us. Consider donating goods, services, or cash to your local shelter or rescue group. Spread the word about Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month. Consider serving as a foster home for you local rescue or shelter. Post a story and/or photo of your pup on our Facebook page. Or just give your doggies a hug and thank them for all the joy they've brought to your life! WOOF!

08/25/2011

A young woman lost her job and had to move from her home. With two young children, she decided that it was in the best interest of her dog to surrender him to Hedgesville Hounds. And that is how we got Cruiser. It was a very sad surrender, with the children sobbing, and the mother continuing to say softly, "We're doing it for him."

Cruiser received a record number of outstanding applications, so we worked down the list in the orderin which they were received, which is the fairest way we can think of to handle them. The first applicants had a great vet check and home visit. Once approved to adopt, they set up a time to meet Cruiser. There was just no chemistry between Cruiser and the potential adopters. They went home dog-less, and we contacted the second applicants. They live a good distance from Hedgesville and decided to look for a dog closer to where they lived.

We then called the applicant who was third. In her application, she had written that Cruiser looked a lot like her little rescue dog, Rooney and is the same age. Her vet check and home visit were great, and she was approved. She came to meet Cruiser with her little dog Rooney, and we were stunned by how much he looked like Cruiser - same long legs, same coloring, same shorter ears than King Charles spaniels typically have. The two dogs began to play almost immediately. And Cruiser - who had spent an hour and a half showing the first adopters how uninterested he was - was all over this potential adopter like a cheap suit. We laughed and laughed watching Cruiser and Rooney playing with such happy abandon, and the potential applicant explained how she had adopted Rooney from another rescue over a year ago and where he had originally come from.

After Cruiser went home with his new family, we called the young woman who had surrendered him to us, and told her how much he loved his new human and his new canine brother, who, coincidentally, looked just like him. We invited her children to come over and hear the happy story and see the photos of Cruiser's new brother, who looked just like him, and was the same age. And that is when we learned an amazing thing from this woman.

It begins in rural West Virginia with a litter of pups born two years ago (in October). The individual who bred the pups was "dabbling", and sold the pups she could sell, and then decided to give away the remaining pups. One "left-over" pup went to the young woman who surrendered Cruiser. Then the young woman told us that her sister, who saw how cute Cruiser was, asked if she could have a puppy from this litter too. So the young woman got a puppy for her sister.

The sister lost interest in her puppy, and the young woman took the pup, whose name was Bailey, away from her sister when the pup was about 6-7 months old. She then contacted a woman who works with the local Humane Society, and surrendered the pup. The pup went to the local Humane Society and was then pulled by a rescue, and placed by them.

We sent the photos of Rooney to the young woman who surrendered Cruiser. And she was in disbelief when she confirmed what you have by now already guessed. Rooney, formerly Bailey, IS CRUISER'S REAL BROTHER. He is the very puppy whom she took from her sister, who went through the Humane Society, and into another rescue. Who was adopted by Cruiser’s new mom. Who applied for Cruiser...... and who confirmed, when we called to tell her the news, that Rooney's original name was Bailey. Cruiser’s new mom, needless to say, is over the moon. And we are amazed at the way this crazy world works sometimes!

Cruiser is the dog on the left. Rooney, with the tell-tale mark on the left side of his muzzle, is the dog on the right.

07/07/2011

They are 10 week old male yellow tabby cats names after beloved characters in the Geronimo Stilton children's book series.

Trap's wonderful nature is one of trusting confidence and great curiosity about the world around him. He delights in all the joys of being a kitten - playing with his litter mates, batting at his little ball and toy mouse, eating his kibble and kitten gruel, and napping in a contented heap with his brothers and sister. His eye contact is full and soft, and his expression is one of sweetness and complete faith in everyone he meets. He is an excellent eater, and is impeccable in his litter box habits, which he dispatches with serious and diligent focus.

Geronimo is a gentle, funny, outgoing, brave and trusting little guy. Geronimo has a deep purr that begins to rumble the moment he makes eye contact; his faith and affection for people and animals are very touching. With his litter mates he is a comical and robust player, delighting in his well-planned pouncing ambushes. He is beautifully marked and his coloring is somewhere between yellow and apricot.

Both kittens have received their first round of kitten shots and have been wormed. The adoption fee for each kitten is $125 and will cover his remaining booster shots, and his neuter when he is 6 months of age.

﻿If you are interested in Trap or Geronimo, please fill out the non-binding application for dogs found on our website - www.hedgesvillehounds.com - and make the appropriate adjustments.

06/22/2011

﻿It is close to the time when July 4th fireworks will begin to be set off in neighborhoods everywhere. This is a time of year when the number of dogs who are lost, and the population in animal shelters, surges. Even leashed dogs will panic and break loose when frightened by fireworks. Fenced dogs will also panic and crawl or climb to get free. Often these dogs continue to run in panic because of the continuing bursts of fireworks, until they become completely lost.

Take extra care on evening walks and turn-outs. When you leave in the evening, it may be a good idea to pull down the blinds and turn on the television or radio or other competing noise source to keep your dogs and cats calm.

06/09/2011

It already feels like summer in the northeast even though we're two weeks away from it's official start. That means more outdoor fun time with our furry friends. It can also mean an increased chance of heat stroke. Even if you are comfortable, your dog may not be. Dogs overheat more quickly than humans do. They dont' sweat like we do. They cool their bodies by panting, or blowing out heat, which is much less effective than sweating. If the environment is too hot, panting becomes completely ineffective. Certain breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke - working breed dogs who may be used to vigourous exercise (retrievers, spaniels, etc.), overweight dogs, dogs with airway, heart or lung diseases, and dogs with shortened faces (pugs, bull dogs, shi tzus).

Do you know what to look for? Do you know what to do if this happens to your dog?

Run cool (not cold) water over them if possible. The best thing is if you can get them into a bath tub and let it fill with cool water, making sure you keep their head elevated.

Let them drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Mixing a small amount of salt into the water will help to replace the minerals lost through panting.

Massage their legs. This helps the dogs circulation and reduces the risk of shock.

Call your veterinarian. It is likely they will recommend that you bring your dog in because heat stroke can cause internal issues such as shock, kidney failure, cardiac abnormalities, respiratory stress and blood clotting times.

Prevention is key (and easy)! Avoid exercise on extremely hot days. When you are outside, make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of water. Clip heavy coated dogs. Use a wire crate instead of a plastic crate. Perhaps most imporant though is NEVER leave your dog in a parked car. Not even for a few minutes. This is the single most frequent cause of heat stroke in dogs. Did you know that on an 80 degree day, the temperature inside your car can reach 120 degrees in as little as 10 minutes?? We know how much our four legged friends love car rides, but it really is better to leave them at home on these warm summer (and spring and fall) days.

05/18/2011

Your story about saving Tadpole truly brought tears to my eyes and while he's too big for our small apartment I felt we had to help somehow. I sent a donation via paypal and though small I hope it can help with your fantastic organization.

04/05/2011

The pound here is very full. Hedgesville Hounds was able to take in two dogs who were picked up at the beginning of March, and had never been claimed. When we went to the facility, which was definitely very full, this dog caught our attention - a black lab who was red-tagged to be euthanized because he looked so poor. But when we took him out of his run to work with him, the Animal Control team was shocked to realize how young he is.

He was extremely dusty and as you can see, had signs of mange in addition to being very thin. He had no history or name. He was seized by Animal Control after receiving an angry call asking them to respond to a stray dog who had allegedly killed a chicken. Considering his physical condition, it is well that they did bring him into care. Whether or not he actually killed the chicken, we can say from experience that even the gentlest dogs in the world have fun chasing a loose chicken, and can kill one accidentally in a chase. Or, perhaps he was very hungry. We are very sure, even if the charge of killing a chicken is accurate, that it should not label this dog.

Although we did not have room for him in our foster system, and because it was evident that he was suffering, we had him taken to our vet to vaccinate him, snap test him, worm him, and begin treatment for his skin problem. The vet confirmed that he is no more than one year of age. He tested negative for HW, and positive for Lyme, and we have begun treatment. In addition, he was scraped and diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, for which we have also begun medical treatment. He is a kind and gentle fellow, and he walked beautifully past all the runs filled with barking dogs with his tail wagging happily.

We thank Animal Control for their efforts to respond to the rising number of homeless and abandoned dogs in our area, and for their partnership in giving us time to help Tadpole find a home. We appreciate their daily managing of his medical treatments while they continue to provide him space in their facility.

Since beginning treatment, he is beginning to fill out, and his skin improves daily. He is a gentle, big puppy who is grateful for every shred of attention and love, and he is desperate for touch and guidance. And he will be magnificently beautiful some day.

We are eager to get Tadpole into foster care. At this stage of his treatment, his mange is no longer contagious. If you could foster Tadpole, or you know someone who could, please fill out our non-binding application for adoption which can be found on our website - www.hedgesvillehounds.com .﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿